Israel has accepted US-backed proposal for ceasefire, says Blinken; asks Hamas to do same

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Israel has accepted the US-backed proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, and also called upon Hamas to do the same. He, however, did not say whether it had addressed the concerns raised by the militant group. His remarks came on Monday (August 19) after holding a two-and-half hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.